Abstract: A specimen cup system for sample testing includes a cup defining sealable first and second regions. A receptacle is formed at a bottom of the first region and extends vertically therein. The receptacle has a first opening defined at the bottom of the first region, a second opening in a radial wall of the receptacle for fluid communication with the first region, and a third opening in the radial wall of the receptacle for fluid communication with the second region. A base having a hollow post is inserted in the first opening of the receptacle. The hollow post has a radial opening formed therein that, when aligned with the second opening, defines a pre-test condition. The hollow post forms a fluid tight seal with the receptacle about the radial opening. The base is coupled to the bottom of the cup in a rotatable fashion such that the hollow post can be rotated to align the radial opening thereof with the third opening in the receptacle to define a test condition.

Abstract: The present invention proves instruments and methods for detecting and/or quantitating an analyte in a fluid sample. The fluid sample is placed in a sample chamber having a small, shallow detection region. The analyte is magnetically labeled using magnetic particles coated with a binding reagent, and is detectably labeled using a fluorescent dye or other detection reagent. The magnetically labeled analyte is concentrated into the detection region using a focusing magnet positioned underneath the sample chamber detection region. Concentrated analyte is measured using excitation optics positioned on top of the sample chamber detection region, adapted to illuminate only the detection region, and detection optics positioned on top of the detection region, adapted to detect only light emitted from the detection region. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a simple, rapid assay for measuring the concentration of CD4+T cells in a whole blood sample.

Abstract: A liquid testing device for determining the value of at least one property of a liquid. The liquid testing device includes a planar base and at least one test section, located on the planar base, with a reference color section located adjacent to the test section, which exhibits a color according to the value, as a result of reaction of a reagent with the liquid. The reference color section includes a plurality of different reference colors arranged for easy visual color comparison with the test result. The reference color section is placed adjacent to and in contact with the test section, with the test section having sufficient length so that it substantially encompasses the entire reference color section with its plurality of different reference colors. Thus, when the test section exhibits a reaction color, the visual comparison is simplified since the reference color which matches the reaction color becomes substantially visually merged and self-aligned therewith.

Abstract: A peel ply material of high visual discernibility for use during curing of a resin-coated substrate comprises a base fabric characterized by a high level of wet out when disposed on a cured resin-coated substrate, and tracers woven into the base fabric in spaced lines comprising yarn characterized by (a) a low level of wet out, (b) substantially the same heat shrinkage properties as the base fabric, and (c) a substantially zero transfer level to the resin-coated substrate. The base fabric may be undyed polyester, and the tracers may be bleached polyfluorocarbon or conjugated polyester/carbon.